Dyral Keith Blackburn

Dyral "Keith" Blackburn, aka "Bear"; was born outside of Atkins, Arkansas at his grandparents' house on September 24, 1947.
Keith went to a one-room school in Tucker, Arkansas for a few years, then went to school in Atkins, Arkansas, and Russellville, Arkansas before moving to Apache, Oklahoma his sophomore year. While in high school, he worked for Paul Jackson on his farm.
After graduation in 1965, Keith attended Cameron College for a year. While going to Cameron he worked as a delivery person for Montogomery Wards.
Keith joined the Navy in 1967 and was stationed in Charleston, South Carolina. He spent most of that time as a radarman on the ship U.S.S. Sellers, in the Mediterranean.
After coming home from his time in the Navy, Keith moved to Fletcher, Oklahoma where his family had moved. He began working at Dolese at Cyril. Later he changed jobs to become a Meat Cutter's Assistant at Ft. Sill.
Eventually, Keith acquired a job as a lineman with the communications division at Ft. Sill where he later became a supervisor. This job moved him to Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas, where he worked for 14 years, until his retirement. Keith was presented with many awards while working in civil service.
Keith and Susan Shiflett met in 1971. On August 11, 1972, they were married. In 1978, they were blessed with their first daughter, Molly Annette, who definitely was a "Daddy's Girl."
Following Keith's retirement, the family moved back to Fletcher where he worked for his brother-in-law, Steve Shiflett for a few years. The next 20 years he began working for Ike Higdon on the wheat fields. Keith loved being in the field.
Keith is survived by his wife, Susan; 3 grandchildren: Derek Blackburn of Apache, Cameron Hrbacek and Madison of Cement, Ava Roman and Von of Lawton; 1 great-granddaughter: Holly Hrbacek; two brothers: Mike Blackburn and Carol of Fletcher, Phillip Raney and Sheila of Marlow; 1 stepbrother: Rodney Raney and Sherrie of Meridian; a son-in-law, Chris Hrbacek; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws that he loved.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Molly Hrbacek; his parents; his father and mother-in-law: Bill and Carrie Churchwell; as well as many close friends and dear relatives.